We take one together, and then the photographer hands me the lantern. It glows a warm yellow and has a lavender star on it. Then he tells me to look down at it with a big smile and then hold it in the air like I’m releasing it.
It feels so magical, I can’t wait to see how they turn out.
“What’s next?” I ask.
“To the haunted castle,” he says in a ghostly voice. “Unless you’re too scared.”
I shove him. “Hologram ghosts don’t scare me.” I know what real monsters look like.
“Then you don’t need to hold my hand.”
I grab it quick. “But only because it might be dark.”
He chuckles and squeezes my hand.
Once we get off the ride, Brendan keeps checking his phone, and I’m getting tired of his pussyfooting around.
“Just tell me.”
“Tell you what?” He sounds surprised, so I raise an eyebrow. “Fine.” He heaves a put-upon sigh and runs his fingers through his thick wavy locks. “Tanner’s story’s gone viral.”
Part of me is happy that more people can see his suffering, but what if they look into it more?
Will we be suspects?
Will we go to jail?!
“Relax, everything will be fine. Remember, we’re here.”
“Yeah, but it won’t be long before people figure out there was a trial and who was involved, and then I’ll be all over the news and internet too.”
I pull out my phone and try to look it up.
“Rory, don’t read that.” He grabs my phone.
“Hey!” I gasp and reach for it, but he holds it higher and looks at the screen.
My lock screen is a picture of me and Brendan on a ride. I chose it because I’m smiling like a loon, but Brendan looks terrified.
“Really? You had to use that picture,” he grumbles.
“Yes. I looked good,” I say and pretend to flip my hair.
“Fine. You do.”
“Plus, you looked so scared,” I tease and duck out of his reach.
“Come here, you little…” He growls and chases me in a circle before his watch chimes. “It’s time for the show.”
“Another sing-along!”
“Thankfully no, not another sing-along.” I swat his arm and begin to protest. “But there will be fireworks, music, and fire.”
“That sounds fun.”
He takes my hand, and we start a very long walk. While we’re walking forever, my brain starts thinking about what’s really happening.
I don’t know what Tanner’s injuries were, but did they finally fuck with the wrong person?
